Illuminated name and number plate



April 8, 1930. THQMAS ET AL ILLUMINATED NAME AND NUMBER PLATE Original Filed March 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EVW/W m W vmmas oweqsl fi, Wbomms April 8, 1930. E. A. THOMAS ET AL' 1,754,067

ILLUMINATED NAME AND NUMBER PLATE Original Filed March 18. 1926 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 3 6- 5700) /4. 7 70 770 F'ZyvJM 7770/7706 Mi /wees es Patented 'Apr. 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN A. THOHAS .AN'D FOREST A. THOMAS, F WILLI'IB, CALIFORNIA.

ILLUHDTATED NAME AND NUMBER PLATE Application fled latch 18, 1926, Serial No. 95,808. Renewed November 14, 1929.

This invention relates to an improved illuminated name and number plate adapted to be fastened upon the outside of a dwelling or the like in proximity to a door of the same so as to clearly exhibit the name of the resident and the number of the residence, at night time, as well as by day.

e prima object of the invention is to provide a device of the above kind which is extremely simple and durable in construction as well as eflicient for the purpose intended. v

'A further object is to provide a device of the above kind embodying slides adapted for removable reception of a plurality of let- .ter and number panels whereby the required name and number may be provided for each individual device, as required. v

A further ob'ect is to provide an illuminated name an number plate of the above kind embodying provision for supporting, convenient for access, a door bell controlling switch in such manner asto illuminatethe same and thereby enable one to readily locate the same at night time.

' Other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts through the several views,

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of an illuminated name and number plate and door bell switch support constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

'40 Figure 3 is an end elevation looking toward the left of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantially upon line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 1s a rear elevation with the back plate member or wall removed; and

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken upon line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawin s, the resent invention embodies a hollow rel tive y thick plate of generally rectangular form and preferably provided with beveled edges as well as composed of a pan-shaped body 5 having an integral front wall 6 and aremovable back wall 7. The hollow late is preferably of horizontally elongated 01m as shown and provided with horizontal upper and lower slots 8 and 9, respectively, in the front wall thereof and extending from end to end of the same. The front wall 6 is .further provided with longitudinal grooves 10 along the horizontal or longitudinal edges of the slots 8 and 9, so as to form guideways ."for slidable and removable reception of frames 11 and 12. The lower slot and frame are relatively wider than the upper slot and 5 frame, and the grooves 10 preferably open through both ends of the hollow name and number plate so that the frames 11 and 12 ma be removed from either end of the same.

s shown, each frame is adapted for slidable removable reception of a plurality of panels 13 which serve as closures for the openings of the slide frames and certain of which have the desired indicia 14 thereon to be displayed and illuminated. As shown, certain of the panels 13 of the upper frame constitute letter panels adapted to be cooperatively associated to form the name of the resident of the dwelling, while the panels 16 of the lower frame are in the nature of numher plates or panels adapted to be associated to constitute the residence number. The remaining panels of each frame are left blank as necessary, and suitableprovision is made for the desired passage of light through portions of the panels for eflecting their proper illumination. The panels me be stenciled opaque plates so as to allow t e passage of light through the letters and numbers or the may constitute transparent panels wit o aque numbers and letters suitably t ereon by painting or the like. 'I e latter form of the panels is referable, and as shown in Figure 4, the sli e frames are longitudinally grooved for reception of the panels 13.

As shown clearly in Figures 5 and 6, an electric light socket 15 is rigidly fastened within the hollow plate 5 and to the inner side of an end portion of the front plate 6 between the slots 8 and 9, and this lamp socket receives in its inner end an incandescent lamp bulb 17 adapted to be li hted for illuminating the interior of the plate 5 so that the rays of light will pass outwardly through the trans arent portions of the panels 13 and there y render the indicia 14 readily visible at night time. The lamp spcket 16 is preferably of a type having a laterally swinging switch lever 17 by means of which the lamp 16 may be turned on and off as desired, and this switch lever projects outwardly through a slot 18 in the front wall 6 so as to be conveniently operated. In order to secure the lamp socket 15 in place, the same is provided along one side with a pair of studs adapted to seat against the inner face of the wall 6 as shown in Fi ure 6, at 19, and stud screws 20 are passe throu h openings in the wall 6 and threaded into t e studs 19.-

The other end of the portion of the wall 6 between the slots 8 and 9 is formed with an opening in which is fitted a door bell controlling switch- 21 which is preferably of a type embodyingea depressible push button.

22 adapted to depressed for closing the circuit of the door bell. This ush button switch is disposed with its pus button 22 exposed exteriorly of the hollow plate 5, and has base flanges or ears 23 seated against the inner surface of the wall 6 and bolted to the latter as at 24 so as to be ri 'dl secured in place. The part of the wal 6 etween the slots 8 and 9 and between the lam socket 15 and the switch 21 is provided with a relatively large opening through which the hand may be inserted for renewal of the bulb 16 when found necessary, and this openin is closed b means of a removable closure p ate or ane 25.

e feed wires for the switch 21 and the lamp socket 15 are extended to the source of current and the door bell through an outlet opening in the back wall 7, and a suitable insulating bushing 26 is provided in this outlet opening for an obvious lpur ose.

The device is adapted to e atly and rigidly secured against a wall of the dwelling ad acent the door of the latter, and for this purpose suitable attaching screws 27 are passed through alined pairs of openings at the ends of the hollow plate 5 and in the front and rear walls thereof as shown in several of the views, the screws 27 being threaded into the wall of the dwelling.

rovided I The device above described prot'ides a simple and durable name and number plate which is employed at day time with the switch 17 open and the light or lamp 16 unpush button 22, and thls push button 22 is ormed of substantially transparent material such as glass so that the rays of light may pass outwardly therethrough from the interior of the plate member 5. In this way the exact location of the push button is made apparent.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the construction and operation as well as the advantages of the present invention will'be readil understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. a

What we claim as new is 1. In a structure of the character described, a flat hollow casing having a relatively large front wall plate and surrounding relatively shallow side walls, said front wall having a relatively wide slot formed therethrough and extending the length thereof and o ening at each end throu h an end wall, said slot having the oppose faces of its longitudinal edges each rovided with a groove, an elongated frame e ement desi ed to fit in said slot, a tongue formed a ong each longitudinal edge of said frame and designedto slide in one of the grooves and means whereby a plurality of indicia bearing panels may be mounted in the frame.

2. In a structure of the character described, a flat hollow casing having a relatively' large front wall plate and surrounding relatively shallow side walls, said front wall having a relatively wide slot formed therethrough and extending the length thereof and opening at each end through an end wall, said slot having the opposed faces of its longitudinal edges each provided with a groove, a frame designed to fit into said slot, tongues formed along the longitudinal edges of said frame each designed to slide in a groove, said frame being formed throughout the length of the inner face of each longitudinal side member thereof, with a panel receiving groove and a slot through each end member thereof, and an indicia bearing panel designed to be inserted in a slot for positioning in the groove of the side members of the frame, substantially as described.

3. A structure of the, character set forth, comprising a casing having its front Wall provided with a slot and an openin below the slot, panels extending across the s t, and bearing mdicia adapted to be illuminated from within the casing, an electric lamp socket arran ed within the casing and secured to saic? wall with its lamp receiving end arranged adjacent said opening, and a 10 closure plate removably secured to said wall over said opening. Y

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

ELWIN A. THOMAS. FOREST A. THOMAS. 

